Restorer Genotype for Male Sterile Cytoplasm of Genetic Resources Moderately Resistant to Phytophthora capsici in Capsicum Pepper

KC00256, KC00406, KC00462, KC00463, KC00820, and KC00821, the genetic resources that have previously been reported as moderately resistant to Phytophthora capsici, as well as the line KC01322, a new source of moderate resistance introduced from Laos, were tested against two strains (Pc003 and Pc005) of P. capsici. We also determined the nuclear restorer genotypes of these lines, in regards to their interaction with cytoplasmic male sterility, through crossing the resources with cytoplasmic male sterile Punggok-A (Srfrf) and determining the fertility of the $F_1$ hybrids. The studied lines exhibited a low level of resistance to both the strains of P. capsici compared to highly resistant CM334, but their response was fairly consistent for both P. capsici strains. KC00406, KC00462, KC00463, and KC01322 produced stable, male fertile $F_1$ plants indicating that they are restorers with genotype N(S)RfRf. KC00821 produced male sterile $F_1$ plants and was identified as a maintainer with genotype Nrfrf. The $F_1$ plants of the KC00820 cross, however, set a few male fertile flowers in the greenhouse at seedling stage, then became male sterile after being transplanted to the plastic greenhouse soil in May and remained so to the end of the growing season. Therefore, KC00820 is an unstable maintainer with genotype Nrfrf. The moderate resistance exhibited by these genetic resources may be integrated into breeding programs aimed at promoting higher levels resistance via recurrent selection or hybridization.